Technical Officer, Immunization Information Systems

Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) aims to support Member States in achieving healthier populations, disease prevention and control through integrated, evidence-based and equity-focused public health actions. The Division’s strategic objective is to promote health, prevent and reduce the burden of communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions, improve maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, and address the broader determinants of health through policy interventions, multisectoral collaboration and life-course approaches, in line with WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work and the regional vision “Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025–2029)”.

The Laboratory and Intelligence Team (LIT) is a cross-cutting team which supports Member States in strengthening national capacities for building stronger and sustainable health intelligence systems — the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of diverse health data — to better prevent, detect and respond to infectious diseases and to strengthen the prevention, control and management of noncommunicable diseases.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provide technical expertise to Member States in the assessment, design, implementation and scale-up of electronic immunization registries and other immunization information systems, including the transition from paper-based to digital platforms.
• Provide strategic guidance to Member States to assess and improve the quality of immunization coverage and VPD surveillance data, through data quality assessments, desk reviews, data verification exercises and coverage surveys, and the development and implementation of data quality improvement plans.
• Consolidate, analyse and interpret national and subnational immunization coverage, VPD surveillance and programme data at regional level; monitoring performance against IA2030, Gavi 6.0 and regional targets and indicators; and provide regular structured feedback to countries and WHO country offices.
• Lead and coordinate regional reporting and accountability processes for immunization, including the electronic Joint Reporting Form (eJRF), the WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), Gavi reporting requirements, and technical documentation for regional governing, advisory and verification bodies and other relevant WHO regional forums.
• Analyse immunization coverage and equity gaps, including the identification, quantification and characterization of zero-dose and under-immunized populations, through subnational, geospatial and equity-stratified analysis and the triangulation of administrative, survey, surveillance and other data sources, in order to support microplanning and the targeting of missed communities.
• Design, develop, maintain and continuously improve regional immunization databases, dashboards and data visualization products that translate coverage and surveillance data into accessible insight for decision-makers, applying automation and efficient data management approached to improve timeliness and reduce manual processing.
• Lead regional efforts to identify, evaluate, promote and disseminate innovations in immunization data, digital health and advanced analytics, including the responsible application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to strengthen data quality, timeliness, analysis and use.
• Lead regional capacity-strengthening efforts and provide strategic guidance to national programmes in immunization data management, analysis, interpretation and use through the development of tools, standard operating procedures and training materials, the delivery of training and workshops, mentoring and remote technical support, and the facilitation of regional networks and communities of practice.
• Provide technical leadership for evidence generation and knowledge translation, including the design and conduct of regional analyses and operational research on immunization data, coverage and equity; data collection, cleaning, analysis and interpretation; and the drafting of technical reports, policy briefs and research manuscripts.
• Lead and coordinate cross-programme data integration initiatives within DPC by aligning immunization data with wider surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and health system performance information; support the analysis and interpretation of data during VPD outbreaks and immunization response activities; and contribute to shared data standards, platforms and analytical approaches across the Division.
• Foster and strengthen strategic partnerships and collaboration with UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, national authorities; and other immunization stakeholders. Coordinate technical engagement across country, regional and headquarters levels, to advance and strengthen alliances for regional immunization strategies, workplans, proposals and reports.
• Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health information management, health informatics and analytics, data science, demography or a related field.
Desirable: PhD and/or training or specialization in a related field.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of seven years of relevant experience, with proven international exposure, in immunization or communicable disease surveillance, immunization data management and epidemiological and statistical data analysis for public health programmes.
• Demonstrated experience leading the design, introduction and scale-up of digital immunization information systems or advanced analytics for public health evidence-informed decision making.
• Proven experience leading and supporting regional or multi-country initiatives including capacity strengthening and partnership with national authorities and international partners

Desirable:

• Experience supporting national immunization programmes or immunization information systems, including data quality assessment, coverage surveys or electronic immunization registries, is desirable.
• Experience with international immunization reporting and estimation processes such as the eJRF, WUENIC or Gavi reporting, and with equity and zero-dose analysis, would be an asset.

• Familiarity with health-system and sociocultural contexts in the Asia-Pacific Region, relevant experience in developing-country contexts, and experience in WHO or within the UN system with an understanding of its mandate, goals and procedures are desirable. 

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of immunization programmes, immunization coverage monitoring and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, including the principles, indicators, data sources and reporting requirements used at national, regional and global levels.
• Sound knowledge of health information and immunization information systems, including routine reporting systems, electronic immunization registries, district health information systems and their integration with wider health management information systems.
• Strong quantitative epidemiology, biostatistics and data analytical skills, including the ability to manage, clean, triangulate and analyse large administrative, survey and surveillance datasets, and to translate results into clear, actionable recommendations for national and regional decision-making.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data quality assessment and improvement approaches, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, coverage survey methods and equity analysis, including the identification and characterization of zero-dose and under-immunized populations.
• Ability to design, develop, maintain and quality assure databases, dashboards and data visualization products that make technical evidence accessible to public health decision-makers.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, evaluate and promote innovation in immunization data systems, including digital health solutions and the responsible application of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to strengthen data quality, analysis and use.
• Proven ability to plan and deliver country-level and multi-country technical support, including data reviews, training, mentoring and capacity-building, working effectively with national counterparts in diverse health-system and cultural settings.
• Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize multiple concurrent tasks and deliver to deadline in a demanding environment, while exercising sound technical judgement.
• Excellent drafting, scientific writing, presentation and communication skills, including the ability to prepare analytical reports, manuscripts, technical briefs and presentation materials for diverse audiences.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work, and to promoting equity in the delivery of technical support to Member States.

WHO Competencies Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:  who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 86,027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1,964 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.
• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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